Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary
other_name =
type= Wildlife Sanctuary
iucn_category = IV | latd = 8 | longd=77
latm = 42 | longm=56
lats = 12 | longs = 18 | locator_position= right
inset_

inset_map_size = 75px
inset_map_x = 175px
inset_map_y = 225px
inset_map_marker = yes
inset_map_marker_size = 4x4px
inset_map_default = yes
skyline = BlackbuckAntelope2.jpg
skyline_caption =Blackbuck Antelope
state_name= Tamil Nadu
district= Thoothukudi
nearest_city =Tirunelveli| blank_title_2 = Governing body | blank_value_2 = [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/Default.htm Tamil Nadu Forest Department]
altitude=
area_total= 16.41
precip= 758
temp_summer=
temp_winter=
established_title =
established_date =
visitation_num = | visitation_year =
blank_title_1 = Keystone species | blank_value_1 = Black Buck Antelope
website =
footnotes = Website: [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/ws_vbs.html Wild Biodiversity]

Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a Protected area of Tamil Nadu in South India created for the protection of Blackbuck Antelope. Located on an isolated hillock in Vallanadu Village of Srivaikundam Taluk, it is the southernmost place in India where a natural population of Blackbuck exists.

Flora

The sanctuary is a South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forest. The thorny hardwood and xerophytes:
Dalbergia multiflora, Dichrostachys cinerea, Acacia latronum, Acacia planifrons, Albizia amara, Zizyphus sp. and a few Azadirachta indica, Dodonia viscosa, Carissa carandus, Pterolobium indicum and Euphorbia Acalypha fruticosa, Ocimum sanctum, species form the under growth.

Fauna

Black buck, Spotted deer, macaques, Jungle cat,Monkeys, Wild cat, Mongoose, Black naped Hare, Scaly Ant eater- Pangolin, Viper and Rat snake live here.

Peacock, Heron, Stork, Grey partridges, Jungle Craws, Common quails, Pied crested Cuckoo, Crested-hawk Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Curlew, Lapwing, Nightjar, Sparrows, Horned owl, and nearly 100 other species of birds are found in the area.

The Blackbuck population is around 20-40. Thick acacia growth makes it difficult to determine a precise population count. The Blackbucks regularily come out of the scrubs and graze in wastelands on the eastern side of the the sanctuary.Citation
last1 = TFD
first1 =
title = VALLANADU BLACK BUCK SANCTUARY
url =http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/ws_vbs.html
publisher = Tamil Nadu Forest Department
page =
date = 2007 ]

Visitor information

In 2007 Rs. 7 lakh, earmarked under the Centre's "Development of Sanctuaries" scheme will be spent to repair fencing, increase the height of a watchtower by 14 metres, improve the water supply and erect awareness boards. Also, fruit-yielding Ficus infectoria tree saplings will be planted to attract more birds. [Vimal Kumar R. (Dec 22, 2006) Biodiversity: Plan to educate people Retrrieved 5/11/2007 [http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/22/stories/2006122209140200.htm Blackbuck sanctuary] ]

Nearest airport is at Madurai – 165 km away. Nearest Railway station is Tirunelveli Junction – 20 km away. The sanctuary is administered by L. Nadhan, The district Forest Officer, Tirunelveli Division, Kokirakulam, Tirunelveli – 627 009.

References

location: 14 km from Tirunelveli, and 50km from Tuticoring district

Nearest airport: Vahaikulam, Tuticorin airport (3km only)